There will be two unwanted medicine take-back programs conducted in New Jersey this Fall 2010.  ANJHHWC members are urged to get the word out about these two medicine disposal opportunities in an effort to keep out homes, streets, families, friends and environment safe from the improper disposal of unwanted and unusable medicines.  The information about each of the two programs is provided below.

  1. On September 25, 2010 many municipalities in New Jersey will be participating in Operation Take Back New Jersey.  Please visit  www.operationtakebacknj.com for more information.  On this website you will be able to select and county and then find a local municipalities that will provide a drop-off location for the unwanted medicines on Sept. 25, 2010 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  The mission of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) New Jersey (NJ) Division Operation Take Back NJ is to provide a safe and legal method for the citizens of New Jersey to dispose their unwanted, unused, and expired medicines. For more information contact:
    Special Agent Douglas S. Collier, M.A.
    Public Information Officer, New Jersey Division
    Drug Enforcement Administration
    U.S. Department of Justice
    Phone: 973 776-1143, Cell: 862 849-9833
    E-mail: douglas.collier@usdoj.gov
  2. On November 13, 2010 the American Medicine Chest Challenge will be conducting an unwanted medicine take-back program.  Please visit their website at www.americanmedicinechest.com for more information.   On this website you will be able to select a state, county and then find a local municipalities that will provide a drop-off location for the unwanted medicines on November 13, 2010.

According to Americanmedicinechest.com there are five simple steps to keeping your children safe from medicine abuse:

  1. Take inventory of your prescription and over-the-counter medicine.
  2. Lock your medicine chest.
  3. Dispose of your unused, unwanted, and expired medicine in your home or at an American Medicine Chest Challenge Disposal site.
  4. Take your medicine(s) exactly as prescribed. Please visit PhRMA for more information.
  5. “Talk to your children about the dangers of prescription drug abuse… they are listening.For tips visit Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
  • Another good resource  for information on this medicine disposal issue can be found at: http://www.smarxtdisposal.net/index.html.
  • While you may think the disposal of medicines isn’t an issue in your home town, this Star Ledger story below from April 2010 occurred in my hometown.

Morris Township arrests two garbagemen for drug possession

Published: Wednesday, April 07, 2010, 3:13 PM
MORRIS TOWNSHIP – Two municipal sanitation workers were arrested for drug possession after a resident noticed them sifting through garbage bags, police said today.

On April 6 at 9 a.m., township police received a report from a Highland Avenue resident that a township sanitation worker had removed an empty, discarded prescription bottle from the trash and placed it in the cab of the garbage truck, Detective Lt. Kevin O’Shea said today.

Township police conducted a brief investigation before arresting Paul J. Ward, 42, of Randolph, and Joseph P. Andrisano, 35, of Wharton. Both men were found to be in possession of drugs, although the drugs had not been taken from the resident’s trash.

Ward was charged with possession of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, possession of a prescription drug without a valid prescription and resisting arrest. Andrisano was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (Adderall) without a prescription.

Ward was remanded to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $20,000 bail. Andrisano was released on a summons.

O’Shea said he did not know about the current employment status of either worker.